When I started getting into finger-tracing miniature labyrinths as a prayer practice, I had this idea of a labyrinthine part of Western Faery built of red brick—which it looks like Aine’s portrait of the Clarene sits on! I didn’t catch that detail the first time, or I forgot and it stewed in my subconscious until it bubbled up as the Sierra Sienna (which I sometimes call the Sienna Sierra.)

This next picture below shows the Ophelia. Mine’s the very anthropic version on the left panel, Opalfish’s gives me the vibes of (to paraphrase Granny Aching from the Discworld series) “‘Taint what the River looks like, it’s what the River be.”

So I certainly make room, even in my little pocket altar, for both the relational experience of the fae presenting/performing and representing as anthropomorphic (and zoomorphic—aww, I wish I’d figured out how to work in some of that in my portrait, butterfly wings, or gills or blue peacock feathers or something, maybe another time,) and this more phenomenal, animistic, symbolic sort of representation…and whatever it means to an individual Other Person, in haphazard combination or in-between (as I expect to be the case, usually—these are liminal beings.)

Next pic below is Aine’s portrait of the Laetha Arabella, and mine of the Dierne before Pallis (the Princess Irene, with whom I generate an unexpected lot more headcanon.)

the Laetha portrait turned out the best on photo paper, I’d say—bold lines, the colors just pop, and I feel it’s a style that generally conveys well that the Otherfaith is a contemporary religion, especially the upstart regent that the Laetha is (along with the Dierne Pallis.)

Maybe I’ll get around to adding some written prayers to this. More likely, though, it’d be adding more images—of the Dierne Pallis, at least a few more of the Laethas, and the fusions. Maybe some non-royal fae. Images alone feel right enough for now.

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a Short Guide to the Otherfaith Gods

with descant divergences

the Clarene. King of Western Faery. God of personal sovereignty, writing systems, architecture, especially tall architecture, sustainable agriculture, ethical animal husbandry (including slaughter), Mondays, and scientific progress. Sometimes features as fairy princess Claire Clarice Clarene, referred to affectionately as 'the Clairies'.
the Ophelene. God of boundaries and Fridays. Fusion of the Clarene and the Ophelia.
the Ophelia. God of rivers, rainstorms, time, depression, and death. Associated with the colour blue, cleansing, Wednesdays, and the granting of wishes. As a god of decay, the Ophelia also presides over the Wastes, a poverty-stricken area of Western Faery.
the Laethelia. God of oceans, happiness, Saturdays, and restoration. Fusion of the Ophelia and the Laetha.
the Laetha. God of technology, virtual reality, passion, rebellion, Tuesdays, and destruction without recovery. Refers to a number of fission gods: Arabella, Asier, Artois, Alaria, Alma, Ava, Azure, Arrise, Aletheia 000, Aletheia 001, Aletheia 002, Aletheia 003, Aletheia 004, Aletheia 005...through to Aletheia 099. When united, they form the Laetha Firebird.
the Aithe. More commonly known as the Liathane or (identically pronounced) the Eighth. God of outsiders. Fusion of the Laetha and the Dierne.
the Dierne. God of air, consent, popularity, mirrors, pleasure, kink, sex workers, Sundays, and addiction. Ensures that one's pursuit of enjoyment does not rely on the exploitation of others. Smells the foulness of rapists, and avenges their victims.
the Darene. More commonly known as the Darren. God of doubt, curiosity, mediation, Thursdays, and contemplation. Associated with crows, stags, and the Little Sun of Truth. Fusion of the Clarene and Dierne.

Frequently Mentioned Others

Desiree. Seneschal of the Clarene. Facilitator of order and fulfilling commitments. Mallory. Minister of the Ophelia, technically daughter of Lyra. Spirit of decay. Althaea Altair. Oracle of the Laetha, presides over...I don't know why she'd be around here, actually. Presides over monasticism? Lilybell Vega. Voice of the Dierne, brings death to contentedness.

Princess Irene. Beloved of the Clarene (erratically.) Presides over the principality of the sky-dome, privilege-checking, and redemption. Adilene. Beloved of the Clarene. Presides over the prerogative of every autonomous life form to defy the gods. Lyra. Beloved of the Ophelia, may or may not return that affection. Spirit of deserts and the hunt. Really knows how to party. Cobb. Beloved of the Ophelia. Lady of spiders, crawling up wells and waterspouts, clothesmaking, co-consciousness, and cutting things with threads and wires. Steampunk William. Human ex-boyfriend of Laetha Aletheia 003, ex for a reason. Spirit of interpersonal abuse. Gods help me.

Odile 04. Mech manufactured by the Ophelia. Steampunk William's widow, or does her best to be. Probably has a mech sister who is currently a ball of blue flame, Odile Number Unknown. Alynah Blake. Jackalope girl. 'Trickster' puts it mildly. Leads a rabble. Oft invoked by swearing by Alynah's Ears, not in the sense of oathing so much as cussing. 1284594. Bookkeeper with a specialty in criticism. 4484593. Bookkeeper with a specialty in literary journalism, and verboten casual interest in grassroots new media. Dahlia. Peg-legged seafaring adventurer. Rarely sighted. Does her own thing. Crew includes a young sea witch and an elderly sea witch? Wee Gran. Grandmother Wednesday of the Wastes.

Faebles

Riddlewyrms. Smaller spirits of anxiety and depression. Selfish. Thieves of treasures without value to anyone other than who they stole it from. Aquatic marsupials something like eel and something like solefish. They keep away so-called treasures in their pouches for no reason. Riddlecats. Labyrinth-dwelling winged cats. Associated with both discernment and mob unintelligence. Mistshroom. More like a phenomenon than a plant or animal; a nihilistic cloud.

Heartwrench. A broadsword with personality. Unnamed Elf Arrow. Exactly what it says.